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Potentilla erecta
Potentilla erecta
Potentilla erecta
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Not to be confused with Potentilla recta.

Potentilla erecta
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Potentilla
Species:
P. erecta
Binomial name
Potentilla erecta
Synonyms

Potentilla erecta Uspenski ex Ledeb.

Potentilla erecta (syn. Tormentilla erecta, Potentilla laeta, Potentilla tormentilla, known as the (common) tormentil, septfoil[1] or erect cinquefoil[2] ) is a herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the rose family (Rosaceae).

Description

[edit]

Potentilla erecta is a low, clump-forming plant with slender, procumbent to arcuately upright stalks, growing 10–30 centimetres (3.9–11.8 in) tall and with non-rooting runners. It grows wild predominantly in Europe and western Asia[1], mostly on acid soils and in a wide variety of habitats such as mountains, heaths, meadows, sandy soils and dunes.[3]

This plant flowers from May to August/September. There is one yellow, 7–11 millimetres (0.28–0.43 in) wide flower, growing at the tip of a long stalk. There are almost always four notched petals, each between 3 and 6 mm long. Four petals are rather uncommon in the rose family. The petals are somewhat longer than the sepals. There are 20–25 stamens.

The radical leaves have a long petiole, whilst the leaves on the flowering stalks are usually sessile or with short petioles. The glossy leaves are alternate, ternate, consisting of three obovate leaflets with serrated margins. The paired stipules are leaflike and palmately lobed.

There are 2–8 dry, inedible fruits.

Rhizome of Potentilla erecta

Distribution

[edit]

Europe

[edit]

Potentilla erecta is found wild throughout Europe, Scandinavia and West Asia.[4]

Potentilla erecta is almost ubiquitous in the British Isles, recorded in almost all 10 km squares except close to the Wash.[2] and is listed as a species of least concern.[5] It is very common in grasslands, heaths, moors and mountains, bogs including roadsides and pastures, mostly on acidic soils[3] but avoiding chalk.[6] It is a component of British National Vegetation Classification community M25 (Molinia caerulea–Potentilla erecta mire).

North America

[edit]

In North America Potentilla erecta is found in the east as an introduced species.

Uses

[edit]

The rhizomatous root is thick.[clarification needed] It has little value for food use because of its bitterness and low caloric value. The roots are a main ingredient of a bitter liqueur from Bavaria and the Black Forest area, called Blutwurz.[7] It is also used in Ukraine along with honey in horilka.[8] The plant is used in herbal medicine as an astringent because of its tannin content,[citation needed] which is unusually high for a herbaceous plant.[citation needed] Structurally-related phlobaphenes, used as a red dye for leather known as tormentil red, can be extracted from the root of the common tormentil along with the triterpene alcohol tormentiol.[9] Aqueous extracts of the rhizomes are reported to have low toxicity in rats and mice.[10]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Potentilla erecta

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Potentilla erecta, commonly known as tormentil or erect cinquefoil, is a low-growing, rhizomatous perennial herb in the rose family () that typically reaches heights of 10–50 cm on slender, upright stems. It features basal rosettes of pinnate leaves composed of three to five glossy, deeply toothed leaflets, and produces solitary, bright yellow flowers with four notched petals, measuring about 1 cm in diameter, from May to September. Native to , northern , southwestern , and , it thrives in a variety of habitats including grasslands, heaths, bogs, fens, and open woodlands, preferring moist, acidic to neutral soils. The plant's s are rich in , up to 20%, which contribute to its traditional medicinal uses as an for treating , , sore throats, and topical wounds. Modern studies have explored its and properties, particularly in extracts from the , showing potential benefits for gastrointestinal disorders and through polyphenols and . Beyond medicine, P. erecta has been used for tanning and producing red dyes from its roots, and it serves as a valuable source for pollinators in its native ecosystems. In cultivation, it is hardy in USDA zones 4–8 and suitable for rock gardens, borders, or naturalistic plantings in full sun to partial shade.

Taxonomy

Etymology

The genus name Potentilla derives from the Latin word potens, meaning "powerful" or "potent," with the suffix -illa, reflecting the reputed medicinal strength of plants in this despite their small size. This nomenclature highlights the historical use of species in traditional remedies for ailments such as and . The species epithet erecta comes from the Latin erectus, signifying "upright" or "erect," which describes the plant's characteristic straight, ascending stems. Among common names, "tormentil" originates from the Latin tormentum, meaning "torment" or "pain," alluding to the plant's medieval application in alleviating intestinal cramps, toothaches, and other torments. The name "septfoil" stems from "sept" (Latin for seven) combined with "foil" (from French feuille, meaning leaf), possibly referring to variations in leaf segmentation where up to seven leaflets occasionally appear, though the typical compound leaf has five. "Erect cinquefoil" combines the upright habit with "cinquefoil," derived from Latin quinque (five) and folium (leaf), denoting the five-petaled flowers and pinnate leaves with five leaflets. Historically, the plant's names evolved across European languages from ancient medicinal references; in , it was glossed as ficwurtz (from fic-wyrt, linking to healing properties), while used fic-wyrt for similar torment-relieving herbs, influencing later vernacular terms like French tormentille and German Tormentill. These linguistic roots trace back to medieval herbals emphasizing its roots for treating "torments" like .

Classification and synonyms

Potentilla erecta is classified within the kingdom Plantae, phylum Tracheophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Rosales, family Rosaceae, genus Potentilla, and species P. erecta (L.) Raeusch. The basionym for this species is Tormentilla erecta L. (1753). Accepted synonyms include Potentilla tormentilla Stokes and Tormentilla erecta Gilib. Historical variants encompass Potentilla laeta Lindl. and Potentilla tormentilla (Crantz.) Neck. ex Roth. Within the genus , P. erecta is placed in subgenus Potentilla and section Tormentillae, based on morphological and molecular characteristics such as style type and number. Molecular phylogenetic studies, using nuclear and chloroplast DNA markers, position P. erecta within the well-supported of subtribe Potentillinae, alongside P. reptans and P. indica, characterized by and hybridization potential. This is distinct from the Anserina containing P. anserina, with divergence supported by incongruences in and nuclear data indicating reticulate .

Description

Vegetative characteristics

Potentilla erecta is a that grows to a height of 10–50 cm, forming low-growing clumps through its slender, procumbent to erect stems. The stems are ascending to erect, openly branched, and covered with short hairs, typically measuring 5–50 cm in length, which contributes to the species epithet erecta referring to its upright growth habit. The leaves are alternate, with basal leaves forming ephemeral rosettes on long petioles (3–13 cm) and cauline leaves becoming shorter and sessile higher up the stem. They are ternate, consisting of three obovate to cuneate leaflets (rarely five), each 5–30 mm long, with serrated margins incised up to the midvein, appearing dark green and nearly glabrous above but densely hairy below. Large, often lobed stipules are present at the base of the leaves. The root system features horizontal, thickened rhizomes up to 8 cm long, which are woody and irregularly shaped, serving as the primary means of vegetative spread. These rhizomes facilitate clonal growth in clump-forming habits on acidic soils.

Flowers and fruits

The of Potentilla erecta forms loose, open cymes typically with 1–5 flowers per stem, though clusters can reach up to 30 flowers overall. Flowers appear from May to . Individual flowers are hermaphroditic, radially symmetrical, and measure 7–11 mm in diameter. They feature four (rarely five) bright yellow petals, each 3–6 mm long and shallowly notched at the apex, often with orange spots at the base. The calyx includes five sepals, 3–5 mm long with broadly acute apices, and an epicalyx of five narrow, ovate to elliptic bractlets, 1.5–4 mm long. Numerous stamens, typically 15–20, surround the superior within a 1.5–2.5 mm in diameter. These features adapt the flowers for insect pollination, attracting bees, flies, beetles, and , with the species being self-fertile. The fruit is an aggregate of 2–8 dry achenes (up to 20 in some cases), each 1.2–2 mm long, rugose-surfaced, and inedible. These small achenes are dispersed by wind or by adhering to animals. Seeds exhibit high viability and require cold stratification at -4 to +4°C for 12 weeks to break , followed by at around 20°C.

Distribution and habitat

Native range

Potentilla erecta is native to a broad region encompassing , northern , and parts of Asia-Temperate. In , its distribution spans from the Atlantic islands to the Urals, while in northern it occurs in . It is also native to the , an archipelago in the North . Southwestern Asia represents the eastern extent, including and the region, with additional presence in and western . Within Europe, Potentilla erecta exhibits extensive coverage, occurring across all major subregions including (e.g., , ), Southwestern Europe (e.g., , , ), Southeastern Europe (e.g., , ), Middle Europe (e.g., , ), and (e.g., , ). In the , it is particularly ubiquitous, recorded in 2,587 of approximately 2,872 10 km grid squares in during 2000–2019, with higher abundance noted in upland and coastal areas, though absent or rare in some isolated eastern lowlands. Its presence extends to Mediterranean coastal zones and subarctic , reflecting to varied temperate conditions. Historical records from specimens and floristic atlases indicate relative stability in the overall native range through the , with comprehensive mapping efforts up to 2019 confirming persistence across indigenous regions despite localized declines. In Britain, post-1930 data show strong declines in occurrence, particularly in southeastern due to agricultural intensification, though the species remains widespread elsewhere. It thrives in temperate to zones, favoring cool, moist environments, and is characteristically associated with acidic soils.

Introduced range

Potentilla erecta has been introduced to , primarily in eastern regions, where it is considered questionably native or introduced with limited persistence. Collections exist from and , with additional historical records from Newfoundland, though most date prior to 1900 and its current status remains uncertain. In the of North America, it is treated as a or ephemeral species, not widely naturalized due to low persistence likely influenced by competition from native . It has also been introduced in the (Primorye). Potential introductions have been reported in parts of and , but these remain unconfirmed, with no established populations documented as of 2025 and possible eradication of early occurrences. Historical vectors for North American introductions likely involved accidental transport via 19th-century wool trade or , though specific evidence is sparse. Overall, P. erecta does not form persistent populations outside its native Eurasian range, reflecting its limited invasiveness.

Preferred habitats

Potentilla erecta thrives in a variety of open, semi-natural ecosystems across temperate regions, including grasslands, heaths, moors, bogs, woodland edges, and coastal dunes. It is particularly characteristic of acidic, nutrient-poor environments such as upland meadows and peatlands, where it forms part of dwarf-shrub dominated communities. These habitats often feature well-drained but moist soils, with a preference for peaty or sandy substrates that retain some humidity without waterlogging. The species favors acidic soils with a range of 3.5 to 6.5, reflecting its adaptation to low-base-status environments typical of heath and systems. It tolerates medium moisture levels and lighted conditions, avoiding deep shade or prolonged inundation. Altitudinally, Potentilla erecta occurs from sea level up to approximately 2,000 meters, encompassing kollin to subalpine zones. In terms of climate, it is well-suited to cool temperate conditions, exhibiting tolerance to but sensitivity to extreme or high . It commonly associates with ericaceous plants such as Calluna vulgaris in acidic communities, alongside species like and in wetter heath and bog settings.

Ecology

Life cycle

Potentilla erecta exhibits a perennial life cycle as a hemicryptophyte, characterized by overwintering buds at or just below the soil surface and reliance on rhizomes for persistence and spread. Germination typically requires cold stratification to break physiological dormancy, with seeds showing low and slow rates under standard conditions but improved response to treatments like gibberellic acid or potassium nitrate. Optimal germination occurs in spring on disturbed soils, where seedling establishment is gradual due to the plant's stress-tolerant strategy. In the initial growth phase, seedlings focus on vegetative development, forming basal rosettes and establishing rhizomatous connections, with flowering generally commencing in the second to fourth year of growth. The plant spreads clonally through epigeogenous rhizomes, producing approximately 0.6 offspring per ramet via monopodial branching, which facilitates lateral expansion at a rate of about 0.01 m per year. Rhizomes serve as storage organs, supporting regrowth and contributing to a belowground bud bank of around 20 buds per shoot within the top 10 cm of . Phenological events align with temperate seasonal cycles: leaves emerge in early spring from March to April, followed by flowering from May to October, with peak bloom in mid-summer. Fruits mature through summer into autumn, dispersing achenes that enter the for potential future germination. Overwintering occurs via persistent rhizomes, which maintain viability for at least four years, enabling the plant to endure harsh conditions. Individual genets can persist for 5–20 years through iterative clonal propagation and longevity, though shoot lifespans are shorter and monocyclic. This combination of via seeds and asexual spread via rhizomes ensures long-term population stability in variable habitats.

Ecological interactions

Potentilla erecta is primarily pollinated by , including bees and hoverflies, which are attracted to its bright yellow flowers. The species is self-incompatible, favoring for reproduction despite its hermaphroditic flowers. The plant's rhizomes contain high levels of tannins, up to 20% by dry weight, which act as a by binding proteins and deterring herbivores through bitterness and . This content reduces heavy grazing, though the foliage is occasionally browsed in moderation by rabbits and deer, contributing to patchy vegetation patterns in grasslands. Potentilla erecta forms arbuscular mycorrhizal associations that enhance nutrient uptake, particularly , in nutrient-poor, oligotrophic soils. Its extensive rhizomatous growth also aids on slopes by anchoring substrates and preventing in acidic environments. In community dynamics, Potentilla erecta serves as a in acidic grasslands and disturbed sites, where it establishes quickly and facilitates succession toward heathland communities by improving conditions and providing structure. It often acts as a hub in plant-insect interaction networks within these ecosystems, supporting diversity.

Human uses

Medicinal applications

The rhizomes of Potentilla erecta contain high concentrations of bioactive compounds, including such as ellagitannins (e.g., agrimoniin) and proanthocyanidins, which constitute 15–25% of the dry weight, along with and phenolic acids that contribute to its and effects. These compounds, particularly the (up to 20% of dry weight), include ellagitannins (approximately 5%), supporting traditional therapeutic applications. Historically, P. erecta has been used in medieval European for treating , , and wounds, with root decoctions employed as a for and oral inflammations. Dioscorides documented its use for purulent facial eczema and oral ulcers, while broader folk practices extended to hemostatic remedies for bleeding and mucosal disorders. In modern applications, extracts from P. erecta rhizomes are incorporated into dietary supplements for managing gastrointestinal issues like chronic and inflammatory bowel conditions, as well as topical treatments for inflammations. Recent studies as of 2024 have explored P. erecta extracts in gels for enhanced repair. Its low profile, with no observed lethality in studies at doses exceeding 5 g/kg (LD50 >10 g/kg orally in rats and >15 g/kg in mice), supports safe use in these contexts. Pharmacological studies demonstrate antioxidant activity of rhizome extracts, attributed to and scavenging free radicals and inhibiting . effects include reduced production (e.g., IL-6) and COX-2 expression in cellular models, while limited clinical trials show supportive for anti-diarrheal properties, such as in pediatric cases and , with symptom relief in open-label studies.

Culinary and other uses

The rhizomes of Potentilla erecta are incorporated into certain traditional liqueurs for their distinctive bitter flavor. In , they serve as a primary in Blutwurz, an spirit valued for its robust taste. In , the rhizomes are macerated with to flavor , a distilled spirit, enhancing its complexity. The rhizomes are occasionally steeped to make teas, though their intense bitterness restricts broader culinary applications, and the plant's fruits are typically avoided due to their inedibility. Root extracts from Potentilla erecta produce "tormentil red," a historically applied to textiles for reddish hues, with notable use in traditional Scottish practices. Beyond dyes, the plant's high content makes it a source for leather tanning, where extracts help preserve and color hides, offering an alternative to bark in historical processes. It also finds ornamental value in wildflower gardens, where its low-growing habit and bright yellow blooms add to or designs as a hardy ground cover. In cultural , Potentilla erecta has been regarded as a protective , hung in homes or carried as an amulet to ward off evil spirits. As of 2025, emerging research highlights its as natural antioxidants, spurring interest in applications for cosmetic formulations to stabilize products and provide benefits.

Conservation

Status

Potentilla erecta is assessed as Least Concern (LC) on the for (2012), owing to its extensive native range across —from to the Mediterranean—and generally stable populations that are not facing significant risks of extinction. Regionally, assessments vary; it is categorized as Near Threatened (NT) in (2014) based on declines in area of occupancy, while remaining secure and widespread in northern Europe, such as in and where it is rated Least Concern and abundant in suitable habitats. In the , it is also Least Concern, reflecting its broad occurrence without substantial threats. Globally, it is considered secure (G5) by NatureServe. Population trends for P. erecta are stable overall in its core European habitats as of the BSBI Plant Atlas 2020, indicating no long-term decline in Britain despite historical declines (strong decline in 100% of metrics post-1930 and post-1987) and potential increases in some acid grassland and heathland areas. , short-term trends show strong decline in 95% of metrics post-1987, but long-term stable to increasing. The species receives no specific legal protections under international conventions, but it benefits from habitat safeguards in designated areas such as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) within national parks across its native European range, including sites and the .

Threats

Potentilla erecta populations face significant threats from habitat loss, primarily through the drainage of bogs and moors for agricultural purposes, which reduces the availability of acidic, moist environments essential for the species. In Britain, approximately 9% of recorded sites were lost between 1987–1988 and 2003–2004, with declines attributed to such drainage and , particularly in . Similar pressures have contributed to strong overall declines, including 100% in post-1930 trends across Britain and 95% in post-1987 trends . Climate change exacerbates these risks by altering patterns and increasing frequency, which can dry out the moist, acidic preferred by P. erecta, especially in southern parts of its range. In lowland heathlands, a key , rising summer temperatures and reduced have been linked to shifts away from characteristic communities including P. erecta toward more drought-tolerant grasslands or woodlands. Degraded peatlands, vulnerable to such changes, experience enhanced drying that disrupts water retention and heightens susceptibility to further moisture loss. Additional pressures include nutrient enrichment from atmospheric pollution, such as deposition, which promotes competitive exclusion of P. erecta by fast-growing grasses in grasslands and heathlands. , particularly by sheep in upland areas, further degrades integrity by favoring transitions and reducing in communities dominated by P. erecta. In its introduced range in , where populations are rare and questionably extant—last collected in the early 1900s—P. erecta faces limitations from but poses no major conservation concerns due to its scarcity.

References

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